NATIONAL CANDY MONTH

What sweeter way to kick off the first month of summer than by celebrating National Candy Month? Candy and treats get recognized all month long for their contributions to the way we celebrate our past times, mark special occasions and especial the ways we celebrate every day!

Whether its a box of Milkduds at the movies or hot tamales at the baseball game, there’s a special treat that comes to mind when we get together for some fun times. A visit to the fair reminds us of a big cone of spun sugar, better known today as cotton candy. Fudge and saltwater taffy are a must have after visiting some of our favorite vacation spots.

We often add some sweetness to our trail mix throughout the summer for added energy on hikes or making a s’more while camping. Fresh mints brighten our day or even a wedding reception. There are so many ways candies and the candy industry adds to our lives.

HISTORY

National Candy Month was first observed in January of 1974. Sales of confections would often drop after the busy holiday season and new year resolutions would kick into high gear making sweets a restricted diet item for some time to come.  The observance would later move to May and then settle into its current place in sunny June. It was founded by the National Confectioners Association.

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HOW TO OBSERVE

What’s your favorite sweet treat? Do you celebrate with sprinkles on your ice cream or a bag of chewy turtles from the candy store? We remember saving our coins to buy our candy by the bag. What was it? Use #NationalCandyMonth to share on social media and thank someone in the industry for all their dedication and hard work.

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NATIONAL FRUIT COCKTAIL DAY

If you’ve been celebrating the food holidays routinely, National Fruit Cocktail Day on May 13th may be a way to improve the calorie count. Many of us have childhood memories of a dish of fruit cocktail regularly served with a meal.

Fruit cocktail consists of various kinds of fruit served in a liquid of its juices or syrup. While we purchase it in cans and individual serving cups, we can also make it fresh with berries and other fruits. Cafeterias serve fruit cocktail as a healthy fruit option in schools and at buffets, too.

Even though the word cocktail is in the name, fruit cocktail contains no alcohol. The term itself refers to a mixture and can be food or spirits. For example, the secondary definition of a cocktail is “An appetizer made by combining pieces of food, such as fruit or seafood.” 

In the United States, the USDA stipulates that canned fruit cocktail must contain certain percentages of pears, grapes, cherries, peaches, and pineapples.

William Vere Cruess of the University of California, Berkeley, and also Herbert Gray of the Barron-Gray Packing Company, San Jose, California have both been credited with the invention of fruit cocktail.

HOW TO OBSERVE #FruitCocktailDay

Serve some fruit cocktail with your meals or snack to celebrate. You could even make your own. Another way to celebrate is by developing your own. Be sure to share your favorite combination using #FruitCocktailDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL MUFFIN DAY

On February 20th, National Muffin Day serves up a delicious celebration packed with flavor and options, too!

Bakeries offer these single-serving quick breads in several sizes. From mini bite-sized muffins and jumbo ones to the favored muffin tops, they also offer a varied nutritional value. Depending on the ingredients, a muffin can be high in fat and calories. However, substituting whole grains, changing a few other ingredients, and limiting the serving size can increase the nutritional quality of a muffin.

Baking with fresh fruits and berries brings a brightness to muffins. It also keeps them from becoming dry as they bake. One of America’s favorite muffins is the blueberry muffin. Another way to add flavor and texture is by mixing in nuts and oats. Bakers often have bits of chocolate and bananas that need to be used. Mixing them into the muffin batter will keep your muffin eaters happy in the morning, too!

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalMuffinDay

Bake up a batch of your favorite muffins. Running short on time? Stop by your favorite bakery and pick up a half dozen to share. Be sure to give a shout out to the baker to let them know how much you appreciate their service. And use #NationalMuffinDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL PEPPERMINT PATTY DAY

National Peppermint Patty Day recognizes a treat enjoyed by millions around the world. On February 11th each year, sink your teeth into the minty chocolate sweet. 

The oldest commercially-made mint patty or cake was made by the Quiggin’s family on the Isle of Man (an island located in the middle of the northern Irish Sea). They had been making the cakes since 1840, but in 1880, four of the sons formed the Kendal Mint Cake Company.

In the United States, as early as 1900, peppermint patties were made by regional confectioneries. Companies such as Idaho Candy Company, Trudeau Candie’s, and Pearson’s (which purchased Trudeau in 1951, both were Minnesota companies). Possibly the most known, though not the oldest, York Peppermint Patties were made by the York Cone Company of Pennsylvania.

York Peppermint Patties were first made in 1940 and distributed regionally, much like other candy makers of the era. York dominated the market because of its firmness and crispness while the others were soft. A former York employee remembered that the final (sample) test of the patty before it left the factory was called a “snap test.” If the candy did not break clean in the middle, it did not make it onto candy store shelves.

In 1975 the company was acquired by Peter Paul Cadbury.  Cadbury moved the factory to Reading, Pennsylvania, much to the distress of workers and residents of York. The company then distributed the popular treat across the country.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #PeppermintPattyDay

Recipes abound for peppermint patties. However, the bakers also like to incorporate the flavor of peppermint patties into their baked goods. So, be sure to test out these recipes in your kitchen to celebrate. For example, we found Peppermint Patty CakePeppermint Patty Brownies, and Peppermint Pattie Cookies recipes. Other ways to celebrate include:

  • Create a festive treat from peppermint patties to perk up a friend or family member. A fresh bouquet of these minty treats would be a delightful surprise!
  • Mix up a minty peppermint patty milkshake for a chilling change. 
  • Add a bit of peppermint kick to your mocha to celebrate the day! Whether you use a syrup, add a peppermint stick or order it from a local coffee shop, you won’t go wrong. 

Be sure to use #PeppermintPattyDay to share on social media.